Sony strikes first-look deal with Yvonne Orji

Nigerian-American actress Yvonne Orji (Insecure, Jane the Virgin) has signed a two-year first-look deal with Hollywood television studio Sony Pictures Television (SPT).

Orji will develop scripted drama and comedy series for cable and streaming platforms as well as star in any of the projects she develops for the studio.

“I’m thrilled to be partnering with Sony Pictures Television to create content we can see ourselves in,” the Port Harcourt-born actress said.

“When I laid out my vision for shows that connect across the diaspora, the excitement I was met with let me know this was the right home for me in this season. Shout out to the entire Sony executive team that made the deal happen as well as my hittas, UTA, Del Shaw, & Shelter. Let’s get this work baby.”

Lauren Stein, exec VP of drama development at SPT, added: “Yvonne is incredibly talented, vibrant and authentic, and we are thrilled to announce this new deal with her. She has this gravitational pull and unique perspective, and we are excited to start exploring the types of stories she wants to tell.”

Orji is best known for her role in the television series Insecure for which she was nominated for a Primetime Emmy and three NAACP Image Awards. In 2020, she released her first HBO comedy special, Momma I Made It, and in 2022 she released her second HBO comedy special, A Whole Me.